Flexible Wheel Rim With Floating Hooks

ABSTRACT

Vehicle rim for the mounting of a tire, comprising: an axially central part ( 20 ) comprising a disc; two lateral parts ( 31, 32 ), at least one of the lateral parts being separate from the axially central part, each of the lateral parts having a rim seat receiving a bead of a tire, the axially central part and the two lateral parts being made from a rigid matrix reinforced by a plurality of reinforcement elements; an intermediate part ( 41, 42 ) linking the axially central part and each lateral part separate therefrom, this intermediate part being made of a flexible matrix reinforced by a reinforcement, wherein 1 MPa ≦the Young&#39;s modulus of uniaxial extension of the flexible matrix ≦ 100  MPa, the Young&#39;s modulus of uniaxial extension of the reinforcement elements is ≧5 GPa; wherein the Young&#39;s modulus of uniaxial extension of the rigid matrix is ≧5 GPa.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to wheels intended to be equipped with tires, and more particularly to the rims of these wheels.

BACKGROUND

When a vehicle equipped with wheels provided with tires runs on the roadway, the imperfect state of the latter can have a negative effect on the comfort of the user of the vehicle, increasing the noise to which this user is exposed, and on the integrity of the vehicle and notably of the tires. Specifically, the latter are primarily subjected to impacts from, for example, contact with a kerb or with a “pothole”, that is to say a cavity in the roadway brought about by deterioration of its surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the objectives of the present invention is to define a wheel rim intended to be equipped with a tire, making it possible to reduce the risk of damage to the tire that results from impacts of the kerb or pothole impact type, and to improve the comfort of the user of a vehicle of which the wheels are equipped with such rims, reducing the noise in the vehicle and reducing the discomfort brought about by passing over minor irregularities in the road, for example manhole covers.

This objective is achieved by a vehicle rim, with symmetry of revolution, intended for the mounting of a tire, comprising:

-   -   an axially central part comprising a disc;     -   two lateral parts, at least one of the lateral parts (and         preferably both lateral parts) being separate from the axially         central part, each of the lateral parts being provided with a         rim seat intended to receive a bead of a tire, the axially         central part and the two lateral parts being made from a rigid         matrix that can be reinforced by a reinforcement;     -   an intermediate part that forms the only mechanical link between         the axially central part and each lateral part that is separate         from the axially central part, this intermediate part being made         of a flexible matrix reinforced by a reinforcement comprising a         plurality of reinforcement elements, the Young's modulus of         uniaxial extension of the flexible matrix being greater than and         equal to 1 MPa and less than or equal to 100 MPa, and preferably         greater than and equal to 1.5 MPa and less than or equal to 50         MPa, and even more preferably greater than and equal to 2 MPa         and less than or equal to 10 MPa, the Young's modulus of         uniaxial extension of the reinforcement elements being greater         than or equal to 5 GPa (and preferably greater than or equal to         10 GPa);     -   wherein the Young's modulus of uniaxial extension of the rigid         matrix is greater than or equal to 5 GPa.

According to a first embodiment, the contact between the axially central part and each intermediate part is made by one end of the axially central part which passes into the intermediate part.

This end of the axially central part may comprise an overthickness that makes it possible to anchor the end in the intermediate part.

According to a second embodiment, which is advantageously combined with the first embodiment, the contact between each lateral part that is separate from the axially central part and the intermediate part in contact therewith is also made by one end of the lateral part which passes into the intermediate part.

This end of the lateral part may also comprise an overthickness that makes it possible to anchor the end in the intermediate part.

According to a third embodiment, each lateral part that is separate from the axially central part is entirely covered with the material of which the flexible matrix of the intermediate part in contact therewith is made. This embodiment makes it possible to increase the contact surface area so as to improve the contact between the lateral part and the intermediate part. Moreover, a transition that is too abrupt can serve as the starting point for a crack or unsticking.

According to a fourth embodiment, the reinforcement is a textile or metal reinforcement.

This reinforcement can comprise radially disposed filamentary reinforcement elements. Alternatively, it may comprise two layers that comprise filamentary reinforcement elements, the reinforcement elements of each layer being mutually parallel and crossed from one layer to the next.

The reinforcement of each intermediate part may advantageously comprise cords that each have two ends, one end being secured to the axially central part and the other end being secured to a lateral part. In an advantageous variant, the cords are welded to the axially central part and to a lateral part.

According to a fifth, particularly advantageous embodiment, the rim comprises two intermediate parts, and the two intermediate parts are symmetrical to one another.

The material of which the flexible matrix of each intermediate part is made may notably be polyurethane, a rubber composition or a thermoplastic elastomer. Polyurethane and thermoplastic elastomers have the advantage of being able to be injection-moulded. On account of their rigidities, polyurethanes are particularly suitable for use as an intermediate part.

The material of which the rigid matrix of the axially central part and the two lateral parts is made may notably be a metal or a metal alloy.

It is particularly advantageous to provide for the Young's modulus of uniaxial extension of the rigid matrix to be greater than the Young's modulus of uniaxial extension of the flexible matrix by a factor of greater than or equal to 100. In this way, the lateral parts are actually floating and the forces transmitted in the event of an impact are smaller.

Of course, it may be advantageous to combine several or even all of the embodiments mentioned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows, in radial cross section, a tire-wheel assembly.

FIGS. 2 to 6 each show a part of a rim according to the invention.

All of the figures are schematic.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Where the term “radial” is used, a distinction should be made between several different uses of the word by a person skilled in the art. Firstly, the expression refers to a radius of the rim (and of the tire with which the latter is equipped). It is within this meaning that a point P1 is said to be “radially inside” a point P2 (or “radially on the inside” of the point P2) if it is closer to the rotation axis than the point P2. Conversely, a point P3 is said to be “radially outside” a point P4 (or “radially on the outside” of the point P4) if it is further away from the rotation axis of the tire than the point P4. Progress will be said to be “radially inwards (or outwards)” when it is in the direction of smaller (or larger) radii. It is this sense of the term that applies also when radial distances are being discussed.

On the other hand, a thread or a reinforcement is said to be “radial” when the thread or the reinforcement elements of the reinforcement make an angle greater than or equal to 80° and less than or equal to 90° with the circumferential direction. Let us specify that, in this document, the term “thread” should be understood in a very general sense and comprises threads in the form of monofilaments, multifilaments, a cord, a folded yarn or an equivalent assembly, irrespective of the material of which the thread is made or of the surface treatment it has received in order to encourage it to bond with the rubber.

Finally, a “radial cross section” or “radial section” means here a cross section or a section in a plane which contains the rotation axis of the rim (and of the tire with which the latter is equipped).

An “axial” direction is a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the rim (and of the tire with which the latter is equipped). A point P5 is said to be “axially inside” a point P6 (or “axially on the inside” of the point P6) if it is closer to the median plane of the rim than the point P6. Conversely, a point P7 is said to be “axially outside” a point P8 (or “axially on the outside” of the point P8) if it is further away from the median plane of the rim than the point P8. The “median plane” of the rim is the plane which is perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rim and which is situated equidistantly from the rim seats intended to receive a bead of a tire.

A “circumferential” direction is a direction which is perpendicular both to a radius of the rim and to the axial direction.

In the scope of this document, the expression “rubber composition” denotes a composition of rubber comprising at least one elastomer and a filler.

The “Young's modulus of uniaxial extension” of a material is understood here as meaning the modulus of extension measured using a tensile test. For the flexible matrices and the textile reinforcement elements, the process according to the standard DIN EN ISO 527-2 was carried out on a test specimen of type A according to the standard DIN EN ISO 3167 at a pull rate of 1 mm/min. For the rigid matrices and the metal reinforcement elements, by contrast, the process according to the standard ASTM E111-04(2010) was carried out.

FIG. 1 shows, in radial cross section, a tire-wheel assembly comprising a tire 5. The tire 5 is mounted on a hollow mounting rim 10 in accordance with the standards of the ETRTO (European Tire and Rim Technical Organisation). The common rotation axis bears the reference 1.

FIG. 2 shows, in radial cross section, a part of a rim 10 according to the invention. This rim 10 comprises an axially central part 20 comprising a disc (not shown), two lateral parts 31 and 32 and an intermediate part 41. The lateral part 31 is separate from the axially central part 20 while the lateral part 32 is in one piece therewith. Each of the lateral parts 31 and 32 is provided with a rim seat intended to receive a bead of a tire (not shown). The axially central part 20 and the two lateral parts 31 and 32 are made of a rigid matrix that can be reinforced by a reinforcement. In the present case, these parts are made of steel having a Young's modulus of uniaxial extension equal to 190 GPa. The intermediate part 41 forms the only mechanical link between the axially central part 20 and the lateral part 31; it is made of a flexible matrix, in the present case polyurethane, reinforced by a reinforcement. The Young's modulus of uniaxial extension of the flexible matrix is equal to 90 MPa in the present case.

FIG. 3 shows, in radial cross section, a part of a rim 10 according to another embodiment of the invention. In contrast to the rim in FIG. 2, the two lateral parts 31 and 32 are separate from the axially central part 20 and there are two intermediate parts 41 and 42 made of polyurethane.

FIG. 4 shows, in radial cross section, a part of another rim according to the invention. Here, the contact between the axially central part 20 and the intermediate part 42 is made by one end 21 of the axially central part 20 which passes into the intermediate part 42. Similarly, the contact between the lateral part 32 (which is separate from the axially central part 20) and the intermediate part 42 in contact therewith is made by one end 34 of the lateral part 32 which passes into the intermediate part 42. The intermediate part 42 comprises a textile reinforcement 50 embedded in the flexible matrix. This reinforcement 50 is made of radially disposed nylon threads. It would also be possible to use threads made of PET, aramid, rayon, glass fibres, carbon fibres, basalt fibres, PEN or PVA, etc.

FIG. 5 shows, in radial cross section, a part of another rim according to the invention. In the present case, the end 21 of the axially central part 20 comprises an overthickness 22 that makes it possible to anchor the end in the intermediate part 42. Similarly, the end 34 of the lateral part 32 comprises an overthickness 33 that makes it possible to anchor the end 34 in the intermediate part 42. Furthermore, the lateral part 32 (which is separate from the axially central part 20) is entirely covered with the material of which the flexible matrix of the intermediate part 42 in contact therewith is made. The reinforcement of the intermediate part comprises two layers 51, 52 that comprise filamentary reinforcement elements, the reinforcement elements of each layer being mutually parallel and crossed from one layer to the next. In the present case, the fibres are Kevlar fibres having a Young's modulus of uniaxial extension equal to 35 GPa.

FIG. 6 shows, in radial cross section, a part of another rim according to the invention. Here, the reinforcement of the intermediate part 42 comprises cords 60 that each have two ends 61 and 62, the end 61 being secured to the axially central part 20 and the end 62 being secured to the lateral part 32. In the present case, these cords are welded to the axially central part 20 and to the lateral part 32. Again, the lateral part 32 (which is separate from the axially central part 20) is entirely covered with the material of which the flexible matrix of the intermediate part 42 in contact therewith is made.

Tests were carried out with a rim comprising two flexible intermediate parts corresponding to FIG. 4, the intermediate part being made of polyurethane having a Young's modulus of 90 MPa, reinforced by nylon threads having a Young's modulus of 5.1 GPa. The wheel was mounted on the front axle assembly of a Peugeot 307 HDI vehicle. Noise measurements made it possible to note a significant decrease in the noise perceived at the driver's seat over the bands 80-100 Hz, 140-170 Hz and 340-380 Hz, compared with a wheel comprising an equivalent rim that does not have flexible intermediate parts. Kerb impact tests also confirmed an improvement in the resistance of the tire-wheel assembly to impacts. 

1. A vehicle rim, with symmetry of revolution, adapted for the mounting of a tire, comprising: an axially central part comprising a disc; two lateral parts, at least one of the lateral parts being separate from the axially central part, each of the lateral parts being provided with a rim seat adapted to receive a bead of a tire, the axially central part and the two lateral parts being made from a rigid matrix that can be reinforced by a reinforcement; an intermediate part that forms the only mechanical link between the axially central part and each lateral part that is separate from the axially central part, this intermediate part being made of a flexible matrix reinforced by a reinforcement comprising a plurality of reinforcement elements, the Young's modulus of uniaxial extension of the flexible matrix being greater than and equal to 1 MPa and less than or equal to 100 MPa, the Young's modulus of uniaxial extension of the reinforcement elements being greater than or equal to 5 GPa; wherein the Young's modulus of uniaxial extension of the rigid matrix is greater than or equal to 5 GPa.
 2. The vehicle rim according to claim 1, wherein the contact between the axially central part and each intermediate part is made by one end of the axially central part which passes into the intermediate part.
 3. The vehicle rim according to claim 2, wherein said end of the axially central part comprises an overthickness that makes it possible to anchor the end in the intermediate part.
 4. The vehicle rim according to claim 1, wherein the contact between each lateral part that is separate from the axially central part and the intermediate part in contact therewith is made by one end of the lateral part which passes into the intermediate part.
 5. The vehicle rim according to claim 4, wherein said end of the lateral part comprises an overthickness that makes it possible to anchor the end in the intermediate part.
 6. The vehicle rim according to claim 1, wherein each lateral part that is separate from the axially central part is entirely covered with the material of which the flexible matrix of the intermediate part in contact therewith is made.
 7. The vehicle rim according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement is a textile or metal reinforcement.
 8. The vehicle rim according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement of each intermediate part comprises radially disposed filamentary reinforcement elements.
 9. The vehicle rim according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement of each intermediate part comprises two layers that comprise filamentary reinforcement elements, the reinforcement elements of each layer being mutually parallel and crossed from one layer to the next.
 10. The vehicle rim according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcement of each intermediate part comprises cords that each have two ends, one end being secured to the axially central part and the other end being secured to a lateral part.
 11. The vehicle rim according to claim 10, wherein the cords are welded to the axially central part and to a lateral part.
 12. The vehicle rim according to claim 11, comprising two intermediate parts, wherein the two intermediate parts are symmetrical to one another.
 13. The vehicle rim according to claim 1, wherein the material of which the flexible matrix of each intermediate part is comprised of polyurethane, a rubber composition or a thermoplastic elastomer.
 14. The vehicle rim according to claim 1, wherein the material of which the rigid matrix of the axially central part and the two lateral parts is comprised of a metal or a metal alloy.
 15. The vehicle rim according to claim 1, wherein the Young's modulus of uniaxial extension of the rigid matrix is greater than the Young's modulus of uniaxial extension of the flexible matrix by a factor of greater than or equal to
 100. 16. The vehicle rim according to claim 1, wherein both of said two lateral parts are separate from said axially central part. 